It has been over thirty years since I opened the door to our little, two-bedroom house. The lady who had walked in kindly invited us to a Bible Study. A series of questions and answers brought several facts to the surface:
1. She was from a church whose beliefs were significantly different than ours.
2. Her church tended to think that they were the only true believers.
3. The fact that I was already a Christian, already an experienced church staff member and finishing my education toward the pastorate meant nothing. I was wrong because I wasn't a part of her brand of church.
I was incensed. I was defensive. In the end, I was rude. I showed her the door and never saw her again.
Today I'm ashamed that I got so angry and acted with such arrogance. If I met her again, I would apologize.
I thought of that lady after yesterday's post. I wondered if I might offend some of you by showing it. I tried to guess your thoughts as to why I included it in my blog.
The truth is that I am not angry at the pastor who will be burning books and Bibles on Halloween. Neither do I think it funny. I just think it's sad.
We live in a world that needs hope. They need the unconditional love which God offers through Jesus Christ. Yet, when some of them think of Christ and His followers this month...
...they will pull out a mental picture of a church burning books.
2 comments:
Yep. It is sad.
It's just too bad that book burning makes so much better news than fall festivals, great kids programs, adult bible studies, service projects, and Christians helping others...
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